BLACK FRIDAY STEAL...I MEAN, DEAL!!!!! LOL

Today, Matthew and I bought Maya her Nintendo DS!!!! Matthew was online looking up the Black Friday deals, and I asked him to look up video games on the Circuit City website. There, they had this Nintendo DS bundle for only $139!!!!

If I would have bought her the color that she wanted (crimson and black), and the game by themselves, it would have cost me $150, and that doesn't include tax, or a case! But this bundle includes the gaming device, one of the games she wanted (Brain Age), and a matching carrying case!!!! She was an easy sell on the pretty ice blue color (blue is her favorite color, anyway). We couldn't beat that deal, so we hurried on over and picked it up!

Maya is a VERY blessed little girl! :-)

Adrian

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

My Thanksgiving dinner is DELICIOUS! Spiral-sliced brown sugar and honey-glazed ham, baked macaroni, rice dressing, cornbread stuffing, green peas, 2 turkey roasts (I don't trust myself with a whole bird yet), a chocolate cake with cream-cheese frosting, and sweet potato pies!!!! MMMMMMMMM-MMMMMMMM! LOL

I shared some of my dinner with a male co-worker........he ate it ALL!!! LOL He's getting ready to make coffee to go with his desserts.

I had a chance to get my hair done (locs tightened, and my loctician gave me a "3-in-1" hairdo (double-strand twisted locs into a bun; The bun is one style, the double-strand twists is another, and my hair will be "crinkled" once I take the twists down ) and my eyebrows shaped this week, too! I'm looking GOOD............

And I made my decision about the job. I'm going to take it. I am in the process of trying to leave, so I will keep any readers updated on the details as I go along. I am hoping and praying that the transition will be a smooth one, without any confusion. But you know me........if they want to start some foolishness, bring it ON...............LOL

Adrian

DECISIONS, DECISIONS.............

I realized that I haven't said much about my children lately. The title of this blog is "Diary Of A Young Black MOTHER"........so, here's a little update about them:

Nicolette told me a few days ago that she is interested in going to college, namely the University of Houston! I must say that I am quite proud, and very impressed. She hasn't quite figured out what she wants to do with her life yet (She said once that she is interested in becoming a police detective), but she has time to decide. I have begun praying and asking the Lord to help Matthew and I make this happen for her. This new attitude she has, I believe, can definitely be contributed to this new environment, and high-achieving school district that we are in.

Angela is doing better at school. She was having a tough time catching up in her studies, especially reading, but she has extended day for two days, plus she is involved in an extra-curricular activity (school choir) that helps boost her little self-esteem. I try to attend all of the open houses, reading/math nights, PTA meetings and workshops that the school has, to show the teachers that I am interested in her education. I also encourage her to read more, and she is checking out library books and reading aloud to her sisters and I. I find that when I attend these school functions, I am able to assess the teaching styles, and find out what issues need to be addressed as far as helping the teachers help my girls, and what I can do to help the teachers as much as I can. As a result, the teachers kind of go the extra mile with my kids, and treat them better. That definitely helps the girls do better in school, because they feel valued.

Maya is a hard worker when it comes to her school work. She was disappointed because she didn't make the honor roll (she struggles with math, just like I did), but she tries really hard to make a passing grade. All of her other grades are A's and B's. I am still working on getting her a Nintendo DS for Christmas. That is all that she has been asking me for, and I feel that she deserves it. But she knows that if the money isn't there for holiday time, I will get it for her as soon as I can.

The airport has decided that they aren't going to 10-hour shifts. Our department will remain at 8-hour shifts, but I still haven't ruled out the possibility of working at the HEC center yet. I have my husband's blessing. He says that he doesn't see a problem with taking advantage of an opportunity to better myself, and make more money, which will help me accomplish more things that I need and want to do. Some of those things are returning to school, getting physically fit again (I am not a big woman, praise the Lord, but I can still use regular exercise. There was a free gym at the call center where I used to work in New Orleans, that I used faithfully), and get some much-needed dental work done. My husband has a lot of confidence in my abilities. He knows that one of the joys of my life is working. I have a lot of energy, I work hard, and I care about everything I do . He supports me 100%. However, when I asked the girls what they thought after explaining to them what taking this new job would entail (less time at home for the first year, and more responsibility), they weren't too thrilled about the idea.

I started doing my own research on what it would be like to work at this place. A few years ago, there were some prominent news reports documenting some serious problems the employees were having at the call center, like equipment crashes, insufficient or short staffing, which caused a lot of forced overtime, and management issues. It seems to me that management issues are a city-wide problem here in Houston. A lot of these complications were brought about by change (in 2003-2004, all of the Houston emergency call centers were moved into this building; all departments (Police, Fire, EMS) under one roof), and the facilitation of the city's union contract. Since 2004, there were maybe three or four other articles written on the working conditions there, and even a city controller's report on how conditions have improved about 50% (in 2007), but nothing more recent.

I know that I will be in for a challenge if I decide to work there. To what extent, however, is not known. Plus, I calculated the "extra" money that I will have the potential to make (not counting the overtime), and it doesn't come out to very much. With the city-wide raise coming up soon, the annual salary comparison for my job and the HEC center position differ by only $600. Again, that's not counting the overtime. I guess the question is, do I really want to throw myself into a potentially stressful environment right now? Am I really that desperate for a "challenge?" I worked in a pressure-cooker situation like that before, and it took its toll on me. I am not so sure that I want to subject myself to that again. On the other hand, I will never know whether I can handle it, whether I will like it or not, or whether this is the place for me, if I don't try it. I am tempted to just go and give it a shot, and maybe ask for my old job back if the place isn't for me. But what if I can't return to my old job? Plus, Matthew says that they will be making some changes on HIS job, probably at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, that will definitely affect family life on the home front. There are too many questions that I have that I just don't have any answers for. I will have to take these concerns up with the recruiter/HEC supervisor before I make my decision. You would think that my answer would be simple, right?

Well, at least I have a week (I am off five days before Thanksgiving) to mull it over..............

Adrian

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS

I do these posts every now and then. This is my first time, of course, attempting to do this on Blogger. I love plugging certain products that I am using, especially if they are economical and work much better than I expected them to. I am NOT getting paid for these! LOL I have run across quite a few winners lately. Here is my list:

1) Dove go fresh Energizing Body Mist

My favorite scent is the grapefruit and lemongrass. Lasts all day! I wish the deodorant worked as well. Everybody tells me that I smell like I am using something from Bath and Body Works! This spray sells out all of the time. Ladies, please think about me while you're out shopping, and before grabbing about three or four bottles.....LOL

2) Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Butter Range Products

I LOVE the Vitalizing Gel Body Oil and the Deep Conditioning Extra Rich Cream! They both have a light but SWEET buttery fragrance! The oil makes my legs look fabulously hydrated. Great for using after a bath or shower. A small investment, but well worth the price!

3)Always Maximum Protection Pantyliners

4) O.B. Tampons

VERY tiny and discreet, but this tampon delivers maximum protection!

5) ROMA laundry detergent

This product of Mexico smells WONDERFUL, is VERY inexpensive, and gets my clothes clean! This is the first powder detergent that I have EVER used that does what it says; I only need about a scoop and a half for a big load of laundry. Use any more, and those suds will be everywhere! 2 bags can fill one of your large detergent containers, and will last about a month and a half to two months! Also washes great in cold water!

I hope that you will enjoy using these products as much as I do!

Adrian

THE TOP 10 MOST IRRITATING PHRASES

Oxford University compiled this list of the ten most irritating phrases being used today. These are some good choices, but I know that there are more out there that are equally as irritating. Here's the list, and I have added my choice at the end. Feel free to add some of yours!

The top ten most irritating phrases:

1 - At the end of the day
2 - Fairly unique
3 - I personally
4 - At this moment in time
5 - With all due respect
6 - Absolutely
7 - It's a nightmare
8 - Shouldn't of
9 - 24/7
10 - It's not rocket science

And my top irritating phrase is "My thing is..................." Different variations of this phrase ("but my thing is;" "and my thing is;" "See, my thing is;".....) are used mainly by extremely self-centered individuals who sincerely believe that their opinions are always welcome, valued, and relevant. Most of the time, of course, they're not, but this fact isn't enough stop these folks from sharing them with you, or anyone within earshot, because, quite frankly, it's "their thing", right? Their moment, their cause, their project, their feelings, their point of view, their demands, their issues..........and who wouldn't want to know what "their thing" is, right? Of course we do, because after all, it is "their" world!

Adrian

WEIGHING OPTIONS PART 2

Today I went for my interview at the HEC center. I though that this was going to be merely a look-see, but I had taken a test, was involved in the question-and-answer process before a panel (which usually takes place during the final interview), and had taken a tour! I am so glad that I dressed well, and had gotten enough rest (I left work early last night so that I could rest up). They seemed pleased with me; I just went in as myself. I am finding that the older I get, the easier it is for me to speak my peace without being tactless or disrespectful, while at the same time garnering esteem.



That's one nice facility they have there! They have a workout gym, lockers, showers, 2 large break rooms, and the call center is divided into different sections. The firemen, fire and ambulance dispatchers, 911 operators and police dispatchers all have their own area. The seating positions and equipment is state-of-the-art. I am not interviewing for 911 dispatch (thank the Lord); if I am selected, I will be training for fire and ambulance dispatch. Coming in as a senior, I will not have to train as long as I had to train at the airport (the training coordinator estimated that my training will probably last about a month and a half). However, in the first year of my employment, I will be a "floater." This means that I will not have set off days or shifts until I complete my year and bid. She says that she needs people for evening and night shifts, and she will put me wherever she needs me. I think I can handle that. I work some nights now when people call in, and I need evenings, because of the kids. I am already on evening shift, so it shouldn't be a problem.



They have 5 different shifts to choose from, 3 regular and 2 swing. Only one of her swing shifts is 10-hour, with three days off. But I will not have to work that if I don't want to, once my year is up, which is good. I will have a choice. At the airport, everyone is going to ten-hour shifts whether they want to or not. There are no other options available to us.



I did mention already that the call center is literally minutes away from my house. I don't even have to get on the freeway and fight traffic to get there. This morning, I arrived to the center earlier than the coordinator did! LOL



I saw one of the ladies who went for the Stafford job. Her interview and testing was right after mine. I hope she did well.



I am not worried at all whether I will be selected or not. Like I said before, I am not in a bind; I already have a job. I just think that a change, a challenge, would be nice. I will be in a new environment learning new things. I have never done ambulance or fire dispatch before. She told me to give her a call in a few weeks to see what her status is; she is interviewing 14 people for the 4 positions she has available, and she wishes to make her selections by December 8th. If I am chosen, great; if not, that's fine, too. I have prayed about it, and it's in the Lord's hands. Wherever He leads me, if its to stay at the airport or embark on this new opportunity, I will be satisfied either way.



Adrian